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Paddock fire caused by pig eating a pedometer

A peckish pig was behind a paddock fire over the weekend after snacking on a tracking device fitted to another animal on the farm.

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A fire that broke out in a farm paddock in the north of England at the weekend is believed to have been caused by a pig eating a pedometer fitted to another of the animals.

The fire broke out at a farm near Brabham, northeast of Leeds, at around 1.30pm on Saturday (local time).

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Firefighters said none of the animals were injured. Picture: Russell Jenkinson / North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
Firefighters said none of the animals were injured. Picture: Russell Jenkinson / North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service

Fire crews were called as the blaze spread to cover an area of around 75 square metres near pigpens on the property.

They extinguished the blaze before any of the pigs got hurt.

The fire spread to 75 square metres before being contained. Picture: Russell Jenkinson / North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
The fire spread to 75 square metres before being contained. Picture: Russell Jenkinson / North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service

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The fire and rescue service said the fire was caused by “nature taking its course” and copper from the pedometer battery reacting with the pigpen’s contents.

“A hose reel was used to extinguish the fire and save the bacon,” the fire service said.

The service said the animals were wearing the pedometers to prove they were free range.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/paddock-fire-caused-by-pig-eating-a-pedometer/news-story/fd990e66150414de73aecae0b2daf150